Grain-cleaning machine



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Paente Peb.27, 1883.

N. PETERS mm W 2 a 6 e h S .w 8 9 h s R E K M U H S L O u d 0 M o W GRAIN CLEANING MAGHINE.

Patented Feb. 27,1883.v

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' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES F. SHUMAKER, OF SILVER GREEK, NEW roan.

GRAIN-CLEANING MACHINE.

$PECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 273,174, dated February 27, 1883.

' Application filed October 9,1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beitknown that I, CHARLES F. SHUMAKER, of Silver Creek, in the county of Chautauqua and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Grain-Cleaning Machines, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to an improvementin that class of machines which are employed for removing the impurities from the kernels of grain previous to grinding thesameinto flour or otherwise reducing the same, and which are provided with brushes operating upon the kernels of grain.

It has been heretofore proposed to pass the grain between a pair of reciprocating brushes for freeing the grain from the adhering foreign matter; but this construction is not etfectual because the brushes do nothold the grain sufficiently and do not form a bed possessing sufficient rigidity to permit the effectual scouring of the grain. It has also been proposed to employ an endless scouring-apron in connection with a stationary brush; but thisconstruction is not effectual, because the traveling scourin gsurface, in passing over the brush at all times in the same direction, bends the tufts of the brush in the direction in which the scouringsurface moves, and the kernels of grain will lie comparatively still in the grooves of the traveling scouring-surface and be subjected only to a wiping action as they pass over the brush.

The object of my invention is to soconstruct the machine that the kernels will be subjected to a severe scouring and brushing action on all sides without danger of being broken 5 and my invention consists, to that end, of theimproved construction, as will be hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of two sheets, Figure 1 represents a vertical longitudinal section of my improved graincleaning machine. Fig. 2 is a vertical section in line :10 00, Fig.1. Fig. 3 is a horizontal crossseotion ofthe machine. Fig. 4 represents some of the metallic rubbing-plates in vertical section on an enlarged scale, and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary rear elevation of said plates.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the stationary frame of the machine, and A the inclosing-casing secured thereto.

I) is the driving-shaft supported in bearings b. secured to the top of the frame A, and pro vided with a pulley, B, or some other suitable device whereby the shaft is rotated.

0 represents a reciprocating brush, arranged within the casing A, below the shaft 1), and actuated from the latter by means of eccentrics 0, formed on the shaft 1), and rods 0, connecting the eccentrics o with the stock at of the brush 0, so that the rotating movement of the shaft b produces a reciprocating motion of the brush. The stock (1 of the brush is guided on both sides in vertical ways E, which are made horizontally adjustable by horizontal screws 6, ar ranged near the upper and lower ends of the ways E, the latter being guided in horizontal waysff, attached to the inclosing-casing A.

G represents an endless apron, arranged to run in contact on one side with the brush U, and composed preferably ofa series of metallic plates suitably articulated or connected together by flexible connections, which permit the apron to run around the pulleys or drums in g A infront of the brush 0. As represented in Figs. 2 and 3, the several platesg,composing the endless apron G, extend across the entire width of the brush 0, and are connected together by hinges t', arranged at the inner sides of the plates, Figs. 4 and 5. If preferred, however, the plates may be riveted or otherwise secured to an endless'apron of canvas, leather, or other suitable material. The outer or face sides of the plates g are constructed with fine corrugations orribs, as represented at 9', to produce an abrading effect upon the kernels of grain which pass over the plates. The shaft of the upper drum, H, extends through the side of the inclosing-casing A, and is provided with a pulley, it, which receives motion from the driving-shaft I) by means of an endless belt, k, and pulley 70 the movement being such that the side of the endless apron which is adjacent to the brush moves in a downward direction. The descending side of the endless apron is preferably guided and supported against the pressure of the H H, arranged one above the other in the casn represents the inclined bottom of the inclosing-casing A, and N represents an ascending air-trunk, which receives the grain from the inclined bottom a through an opening, a,

and in which the dust and other light impuri- 7 ties which have been detached from the kernels of grain are separated from the grain, the latter passing downward and escaping from the lower end of the air-trunk N, while the dust and light impurities are carried up by an aircurrent into the eye of a suction-fan, U, which discharges the dust out ofdoors or into a suitable dust-room.

The grain to be cleaned is fed by the spout on between the faces of the reciprocating brush 0 and the descending side ofthe endless apron G, and is caused to pass downward between these two faces by the force of gravityand the downward motion of that side of the endless apron. During the downward passage the grain is severely rubbed by the brush and the corrugated plate G, and the dust and other light impurities which adhere to the kernels of grain are thereby completely detached therefrom.

The operation of rubbing and brushing the grain is of considerable duration and very thorough, without, however, subjecting the grain to blows or shocks, which would tend to break the kernels, and the grain is delivered from the machine unbroken and thoroughly 2 I aaanrm ranged vertically, as shown in the drawings;

but, if desired, they may be arranged in an inclined position.

I claim as my invention-- 1. In a machine for cleaning grain, the combination of an endless apron provided with suitable rubbing-surfaces, a brush operating against the rubbing-surfaces of the endless apron, mechanism whereby the endless apron is actuated, and mechanism whereby a reciprocating movement is imparted to the brush, substantially as set forth.

2. In a grain-cleaning machine, the combination of a reciprocating brush, an endless apron provided with suitable rubbing-surfaces,

. and means whereby the brush can be adjusted toward and from the endless apron, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with a reciprocating brush, 0, and ways orguides in which the brush moves, of thetraveling endless apron G, having grooved or ribbed plates g, substantially as set forth.

'4. The combination, with the endless apron G, provided with suitable rubbing-faces, ot'the reciprocating brush 0, vertical ways E, in which the brush moves, horizontal guides f, and horizontally-adjustable screws 0, substantially as set forth.

OIIA S. F. SHUMAKE it.

Witnesses:

JNO. J. BONNER, CHAS. F. GEYER. 

